EPDM Rubber Products

Physical & Mechanical Properties / Chemical Resistance / Thermal Properties / Environmental Performance / EPDM Rubber Applications

What is EPDM Rubber?

EPDM rubber or ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber is synthetic rubber with high density. It is an ideal roofing material as well as many other outdoor, HVAC, automotive and industrial applications. EPDM also exhibits mechanical properties found in both natural rubber and synthetic rubber. Furthermore, EPDM materials are far less costly and more durable than silicone materials. As a result, EPDM products last for much longer periods of time, saving you money on replacements.

EPDM is a uniquely versatile, general purpose rubber. However, it should not be used in applications involving contact with petroleum products, food-based applications or applications with continuous exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons.

Read more below for advantages and properties of EPDM rubber:

Advantages of EPDM

  • EPDM offers exception resistance to UV, ozone, weathering, aging and various chemicals
  • Ideal for outdoor applications
  • Offers stability in extreme high and low temperatures
  • Resistance to water and steam
  • Low electrical conductivity
  • Versatility allowing for use in many industries and applications
  • Durability and longevity for continuous use
  • Less costly than silicone

Properties of EPDM Rubber

  • ASTM D-2000 Classification AA, BA, CA (Standard Classification System for Rubber Products in Automotive Applications)
  • Chemical Definition: Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
  • Abbreviations: EP, EPR, EPT, EPDM

Processing

  • Transfer Molding
  • Injection Molding
  • Compression Molding

Physical & Mechanical Properties

  • Durometer: 30 – 90 Shore A
  • Tensile Strength: 500 – 2,500 PSI
  • Elongation (Range %): 100% – 700%
  • Abrasion Resistance: Good
  • Adhesion to Metal: Good – Excellent
  • Adhesion to Rigid Materials: Good – Excellent
  • Compression Set: Poor – Excellent
  • Flex Cracking Resistance: Good
  • Impact Resistance: Very Good
  • Resilience & Rebound: Fair – Good
  • Tear Resistance: Fair – Good
  • Vibration Dampening: Fair – Good

Chemical Resistance

  • Dilute Acids: Excellent
  • Concentrated Acids: Excellent
  • Organic Acids (Dilute): Excellent
  • Organic Acids (Concentrated): Fair – Good
  • Inorganic Acids: Excellent
  • Alcohols: Good – Excellent
  • Aldehydes: Good – Excellent
  • Dilute Alkalies: Excellent
  • Concentrated Alkalies: Excellent
  • Amines: Fair – Good
  • Animal & Vegetable Oils: Good
  • Non-Petroleum Based Brake Fluids: Good – Excellent
  • Diester Oils: Poor
  • Alkyl Phosphate Esters: Excellent
  • Aryl Phosphate Esters: Excellent
  • Ethers: Fair
  • Aliphatic Hydrocarbon Fuel: Poor
  • Aromatic Hydrocarbon Fuel: Poor
  • Extended Fuel (Oxygenated): Poor
  • Halogenated Solvents: Poor
  • Halogenated Hydrocarbon: Poor
  • Ketones: Good – Excellent
  • Lacquer Solvents: Poor
  • LP Gases & Fuel Oils: Poor
  • Mineral Oils: Poor
  • Oil Resistance: Poor
  • Aromatic Petroleum: Poor
  • Non-Aromatic Petroleum: Poor
  • Ammonia Refrigerant: Good
  • Halofluorocarbons Refrigerant: R-12, R-13
  • Halofluorocarbons Refrigerant with Oil: Poor
  • Silicone Oil: Excellent
  • Solvent Resistance: Poor

Thermal Properties

  • Low Temperature Range: -60ºF to -40ºF
  • Minimum for Continuous Use (Static): -60ºF
  • Brittle Point: -70ºF
  • High Temperature Range: +220ºF to +300ºF
  • Maximum for Continuous Use (Static): +300ºF

Environmental Performance

  • Colorability: Good – Excellent
  • Flame Resistance: Poor
  • Gas Permeability: Fair – Good
  • Odor: Good
  • Ozone Resistance: Good – Excellent
  • Oxidation Resistance: Excellent
  • Radiation Resistance: Good – Excellent
  • Steam Resistance: Excellent
  • Sunlight Resistance: Excellent
  • Taste Retention: Good – Excellent
  • Weather Resistance: Excellent
  • Water Resistance: Excellent

Applications of EPDM Rubber

Rubber Roofing

  • RV roofing
  • Roof membranes
  • Roof coatings

HVAC

  • Gaskets and seals
  • Compressor Grommets
  • Drain tubes
  • Pressure switch tubing

Automotive

  • Weather stripping and seals
  • Hydraulic brake systems
  • Door seals, window seals and trunk seals
  • Harnesses (Wire and cable)
  • Window spacers

Industrial

  • O-rings and hoses (water systems)
  • Tubing, grommets, and belts
  • Electrical insulation

Caution:

  • DO NOT use EPDM rubber in applications involving continuous contact with petroleum-based products.
  • EPDM rubber is NOT RECOMMENDED for use in applications involving food or those involving exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons.

EPDM Rubber Product | EPDM Rubber Grommet

Qualiform ISO Certified EPDM Rubber Manufacturer

As an ISO-certified EPDM rubber manufacturer, Qualiform Inc. offers a full range of custom rubber molding services. We have the ability to mold standard OEM replacement stars as well as custom finger lengths and configurations. Our expert technical staff is available for consultation in regard to design and property requirements for customers looking to develop a recycling star for their application or media processing.

As a top EPDM rubber products manufacturer, Qualiform offers unmatched processing, development and testing capabilities.  Qualiform offers custom rubber molding services, rubber compression moldingrubber injection moldingrubber transfer molding, and rubber to metal bonding. We are also experts in problem-solving for all areas of rubber molding and rubber to metal bonding. Our experience allows us to offer reliable, custom solutions for nearly any rubber manufacturing project.

With our 40+ years experience, you can depend on Qualiform for the precision rubber parts manufacturing you need to create high-performance EPDM products. Contact the Qualiform technical staff at (330) 336-6777 to learn more about how we can help you.

Qualiform Proprietary Blend

In addition to high-quality EPDM rubber, Qualiform offers a proprietary blend with reinforcing fibers. Our proprietary blend incorporates reinforcing fibers into the EPDM for enhanced wear resistance, abrasion resistance, durometer, toughness and performance properties. We also offer our proprietary blend for all our available rubber materials:

  • Butyl Rubber
  • Natural Rubber
  • Neoprene Rubber
  • Nitrile Rubber
  • Rigid & Flexible Rubber
  • Synthetic Rubber
  • Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE)
  • Viton Rubber
Factors Affecting Rubber Tolerances
Interested in EPDM or Qualiform’s other rubber materials? Contact Qualiform today to receive expert material recommendations.